Wednesday Links: Home runs victimize Ranaudo, Red Sox

Photo credit: Kelly O’Connor

The Red Sox began their second to last road series of the 2014 season with a loss against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night. Two Pirates home runs, and an unproductive offense spoiled an otherwise effective start from the 25-year old rookie. Pittsburgh backstop Russell Martin was the first to take Ranaudo deep, as his second inning blast gave the Pirates an early two run advantage. Three innings later, Starling Marte took the rookie out of the park and pushed the lead to 3 runs. Meanwhile, the Red Sox offense couldn’t cash in with runners on base against Pirates pitching. Boston went 0-for-10 with ducks on the pond on Tuesday night, despite five of their seven hits going for extra bases. Including starter Charlie Morton, the Pirates used 6 pitchers to keep the Red Sox off to scoreboard; with old friend Mark Melancon slamming the door on a 4-0 win in the 9th.

• After a brief stops at each minor league level, Cuban phenom Rusney Castillo will finally make his Red Sox debut on Wednesday. The 27-year old enjoyed great success in his short minor league career, hitting just below .300 with a .381 on-base percentage. But even though he’s felt comfortable playing baseball in America, Boston will keep Castillo out of the lead-off spot and shorten his workload to help continue to ease the transition. (Rusney Castillo to make Red Sox debut on Wednesday)

• While their parent club slipped deeper into the recesses of the American League East standings on Tuesday night, the Pawtucket Red Sox squared off against the Omaha Stormchasers for the Triple-A Championship. After taking home the Govenor’s Cup over the weekend, the Paw Sox earned the right to play a one-game, winner take all bout against the best of the west. In the end, Pawtucket’s quest for the championship fell short, after a late inning 2-run homer put Omaha in the lead. (Pawtucket falls to Omaha in Triple-A tittle game)

• Tuesday market the 10th straight game in which Brock Holt was left out of the Red Sox line-up. After colliding with Dustin Pedroia back in late August, the 27-year old has been sidelined with a concussion, and was sent to Pittsburgh to see a specialist. While Boston sent the super utility player to a concussion specialist, Holt still has a number of tests to pass before he’s deemed game ready. (Brock Holt slated for more test Thursday)

• Given how bad the Red Sox have played this season, it’s remarkable that penciling them in for the 2015 playoffs isn’t out of the question. Of course, Boston needs to effectively address their problem atop the rotation this offseason, but given their glut of money they seem poised to add a big arm. Add that to an already solid core group, and Boston appears set to make another deep October run. Likewise, the Rangers and even the young, up-and-coming Chicago Cubs have legitimate 2015 playoff aspirations after faltering this season. (Worst to first…again? The Red Sox and 2 others can do it)

• Seven years after the Diasuke Matsuzaka craze hit Boston, the Red Sox are again dipping their toes into the Japanese starting pitching market. Recent reports indicate that Boston has been heavily scouting the Japanese right-hander Kenta Maeda, as the team continues to look for top of the rotation help. Maeda, 27, is said to draw comparisons to Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka, and will likely demand a price tag accordingly. The righty-hander is set to be posted in November, and carries a $25M posting fee. (Red Sox scouting Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda)

• Tweet of the day: Ciriaco returned to settle the score…